In the lawsuit, which also names Chapman's estate as a defendant, lawyers for Romero Garcia's sister, Ana Romero, alleged that improper lighting and an insufficient number of road reflectors contributed to the crash.

Chapman was driving a 1987 Honda Accord, which crossed the center line and smashed into the front of a 1989 Chevy Tahoe driven by Romero Garcia. The Tahoe overturned, and Romero Garcia was ejected from the vehicle.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of money to pay Romero Garcia's medical bills and funeral expenses and to compensate his wife, Alejandra Romero, and their three daughters, Jaida, Jessica and Paola.

Eustis to discuss access to meetings

EUSTIS -- Should the public be allowed to attend meetings between city staff members and a developer?

Eustis city commissioners Thursday will discuss whether they should amend the city's land-development regulations to allow residents to sit in on discussions between staff and certain development applicants.

Under Florida's "Government in the Sunshine" laws and Eustis' regulations, the public does not have a legal right to attend such meetings unless the city staff is making the final decision on a project. However, the public can take part in hearings when city commissioners vote whether to approve a project.

The issue arose when a Dec. 4 meeting was scheduled between city staff and John Keating -- an Orlando attorney wanting to build a large planned-unit development in Eustis. When a resident asked to attend the meeting, the applicant canceled the meeting.